University of Minnesota
Department of Political Science
polisci@umn.edu
612-624-4144


Department of Political Science

Home > Undergraduate Studies : After Graduation

After Graduation

Career Opportunities—What Can I Do With A Major in Political Science?

A liberal arts degree and a major in political science along with prior work experience, internships, as well as your personal skills and talents prepare you for many careers paths. Employment opportunities for political science graduates include many challenging and rewarding careers in government, nonprofits, international organizations, political campaigns, teaching, management, communications, the media, and the legal field.

Although an advanced degree widens your employment options and allows for greater flexibility in salary negotiations and career advancement, many political science graduates secure positions with only a bachelors degree.

The following websites provide some possibilities for future employment opportunities in the job market but first check out these current job listings:

Current Local Job Listings For PoliSci Students & Recent Grads

 

  • Subject: Progressive Campaign Job Opportunities – Nationwide! Posted February 14.


"The struggle for peace and social justice never ends, and one has to make a greater vow not to be discouraged from the activist path. . ."
Even though countless battle have been won over the past several years, we're still up against similar fights and identical challenges. From efforts towards equal rights for all, protecting the environment and alleviating poverty, now more than ever, we need more activists to stand up for what's right.
There will always be easier paths to take, but no path will be more rewarding than the one fighting for these issues.
Grassroots Campaigns is currently hiring Assistant Canvass Directors to run field campaigns on behalf of issue based organizations like Oxfam America, ACLU and The Nature Conservancy. Grassroots Campaigns is looking to interview top students to join our teams as Assistant Canvass Directors! There is no better time get involved and shape the next generation of activists that will take this country in a more progressive direction and see change on issues that matter now.
Students who are interested should apply directly to:

David Wicik
dwicik@grassrootscampaigns.com
617-599-8013
Job Responsibilities:
• Recruitment: Build a team of 15-50 canvassers by recruiting from within the local community. Interview prospective staff and make hiring decisions.
• Staff Management: Teach canvassing/fundraising skills. Work with your staff in individual and group settings, with a particular eye towards developing leaders. Cultivate a welcoming and motivating atmosphere.
• Canvassing: Canvass in the field for four days per week, to train new and experienced staff in the field and meet personal fundraising requirements.
• Administration: Carefully track income and expenses. Manage the budget for your office. Process staff payroll. Maintain records for future organizing efforts.
Qualifications:
Strong communication and motivational skills, work ethic, and desire for political change are essential. Candidates must be able to work within a team, have proven leadership ability and experience handling a lot of responsibility. Strong self-direction and the ability to take initiative are also necessary qualifications. Previous field or canvassing experience is a plus, and may qualify candidates for additional leadership positions.
Training:
Newly hired directors will typically spend three weeks doing field training, working intensely alongside experienced directors and will also attend week-long national classroom training. Additionally, directors receive support from regional management staff throughout their time on staff. After one year in the position, staff will have learned the basics of running a successful grassroots campaign, including, but not limited to, fundraising and donor recruitment, hiring and supervising staff and/or volunteers, and turf management.
Expectations:
Positions last through the 2012 Presidential Election. Campaign hours can run 80-100 hours per week, including work on weekends.
Salary/Benefits:
Annual salary for Assistant Canvass Directors begins at $24,000. Staff may opt into our health care plan (PPO). Paid training, vacation and sick days are included; student loan assistance is available.
Timing and Location:
Positions are available beginning post-graduation, in cities nationwide (MA, NY, PA, OH, IL, IN, NM, MO, NC, CO, CA, WA, OR, TX, FL and Washington, D.C.). Ask David for details.
To Apply:
Contact David Wicik at 617-599-8013 or send your resume and cover letter to dwicik@grassrootscampaigns.com
Additionally, David will be tabling at the Minnesota Private Colleges Career Fair on Tuesday, February 21st between 9AM and 3PM at the Minneapolis Convention Center 50 Marquette Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401. He encourages all interested graduating Seniors to attend if possible.
Please visit our website, www.grassrootscampaigns.com, for more information about current and past campaigns.
Grassroots Campaigns past and current clients include: Amnesty International, the American Civil Liberties Union, Oxfam America, the League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Equality California, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animals, VoteVets, the Democratic National Committee, MoveOn.org Political Action, Repower America, Working America, Common Cause, and the Center for American Progress and Save the Children. (Save the Children is an independent organization and is not religiously or politically aligned. Save the Children has no direct affiliation with the organizations Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. partners with.)

 

  • Fall 2012 Job Opportunities Making Social Change. Posted February 14.

We’re looking for smart, hard-working students who work well in a team and are eager to work for change after graduation. .
The Fund for the Public Interest (aka “the Fund”) helps some of the top progressive organizations in the country work on issues such as clean water, equal rights for GLBT Americans, and ending subsidies to corporate farms. And we're hiring!
Specifically, we're hiring Citizen Outreach Directors to run our grassroots campaign offices across the country next fall -- working on behalf of groups like the Environment America, the Human Rights Campaign and US PIRG.
We are looking for smart, motivated students who want to get their hands dirty and make a real impact on some of the most critical issues facing our society.
If you are interested in applying, visit our website at www.fundjobs.org, or contact me directly – 612.331.8400 or adougherty@fundstaff.org.
I’m looking forward to speaking with you more about our positions!
Alexis Dougherty
Fund for the Public Interest
University Technology Center
1313 5th St SE Suite 316
Minneapolis, MN 55414


  • AMERICORPS RECRUITMENT EVENT. Posted February 14.

Thursday, March 1
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
524 Science Teaching and Student Services building
Get experience, earn a stipend, AND make a difference! AmeriCorps has many types of positions available. Stop by this event to talk to their representatives and to pick up application materials. This event is open to all U of M students and recent alumni. See details at http://www.clacareer.umn.edu/AmeriCorpsRecruits/


  • ON-CAMPUS RECRUITING. Posted February 14.

Spring 2011
524 Science Teaching and Student Services Building
Cost: FREE
On-campus interviews are open to CLA students seeking full-time jobs or internships. Each semester we host local and national companies, both for-profit and non-profit, of all sizes. Companies interviewing on campus this spring include: Target Corp, Target Stores & Distribution, Macy’s, Kohl’s, and more! Check often as new schedules are added regularly!
For more information search the ‘On-Campus Interviews’ section on GoldPASS at http://goldpass.umn.edu/.

 

  • Job openings with Congressional Campaign. Posted February 9.

Tarryl Clark's Congressional Campaign in Duluth is looking for several entry level paid staffers in the field and finance departments. This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door on a competitive campaign and learn the basics of campaign work. A willingness to work hard, listen, and take direction is desired.  If you are interested in being part of a highly competitive race in Minnesota, email your resume to bpinette@tarrylclark.com.

(This e-mail was sent to our department by one of our 2006 graduates who is involved in this campaign.)

 

Helpful Web Sites For Your Job Search

 

For local/Minnesota jobs:

For jobs across America:

For help with writing your resume and cover letter as well as practicing your interview skills, visit the College of Liberal Arts Career Center in 135 Johnston Hall

Graduate & Law School

Many students who major or minor in political science choose to attend either graduate school or law school when they have completed their undergraduate degrees. For those students who intend following such a course, it is important that they begin their preparations as soon as possible. While still undergraduates, students must take care to maintain as high a GPA as possible as this will be a key factor in obtaining admission to the graduate or professional school of their choice. In addition, students should get to know their professors and instructors which will help in their being able to write the letters of recommendation which are a central part of all graduate and professional school applications.

As students approach the end of their undergraduate degrees, they should start gathering information about graduate or professional schools and preparing to take the required exams such as the GRE's and LSAT's. The undergraduate adviser will be happy to advise you on how to go about the application process and to help you select schools to which to apply. In addition, there is a wealth of information available online to help you choose the best schools for your needs and to assist you in putting together the best application.

Make sure you check out the College of Liberal Arts Career and Community Learning Center in 135 Johnston Hall. They have an extensive reference library available for your perusal and professional staff to assist you in your graduate/law school search.

You will find the information contained in the following web sites extremely helpful, too.
Graduate Programs (M.A., PhD)

Graduate Programs (M.A., PhD)

Law Programs (J.D.)

Law-Related Programs

Contact Info

Undergraduate Adviser
Rose Miskowiec
1482 SocSci
612-624-8517
r-misk@umn.edu

Internship Director

Paul Soper
1480 SocSci
612-626-1002
psoper@umn.edu

Director of Undergrad Studies

Scott Abernathy
Assoc. Professor
1246A SocSci
612-624-3308